The Mink Brook Trail in Hanover, New Hampshire is an easy 2.4-mile out-and-back hike that runs along Mink Brook and features views of the water.
Trail names: Mink Brook Trail
Location: 114 South Main Street, Hanover NH
Permitted uses: Hiking, Nature Study, swimming, kayaking
Prohibited uses: No groups or gatherings of more than 10 people, no biking, no jumping from trees to the water, no rope swings, no alcohol or illegal substances, no littering, no camping, no fires
Hours: Daylight hours
Fees and Parking: There is no fee to park or use the trail. There is a small parking area off of the road, but hikers would do well to bypass that parking area and drive down the hill to the parking area around the electric station. There is plenty of parking and easy access to the trailhead.
Pets: Dogs on a leash are allowed. Please leave no trace, which means do not leave bagged dog waste along the trail.
Accessibility: The majority of this trail can be accessed by wheelchair.
Hiker amenities: There are no restrooms or trash bins at this trail.
Length and Trail information: This hike is considered
easy, was done as an “out and back” hike and was 2.4 miles in length. The turn
around point for this hike is at the trailhead on Maple Street. There is a
small sign marking the trail entrance in the lower parking area near the electrical
station. There are no trail markers or blazes along the Mink Brook Trail and
the Kiosk does not have a posted map, but the trail is very obvious, so none
are needed. The trail is wide enough for hikers to walk side-by-side. The
majority of the trail substrate is packed gravel, and it is flanked by a wide
variety of wildflowers and interesting flora on either side of the trail. At
times we thought we were strolling through someone’s beautiful garden. There
are huge sections of Dame’s Rocket, and Rough Horsetail, Amur Honeysuckle,
Meadow Buttercup and Ostrich ferns. The water attracts many different birds to
this area, and we were able to identify several as we strolled beside the brook
including Red-winged Blackbirds, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Tufted Titmouse, and a
pair of Mallard ducks. There are several benches that have been installed along
the trail that offer beautiful views of the brook. The trail moves from the brook
and toward the woods, the trail narrows, and the gravel disappears. There is a boardwalk
that leads hikers into the woods where the trail has a more natural substrate.
There are some wooden steps installed to help hikers start the first incline along
the trail. There is a small plaza like section where hikers will be able to see
where the Mink Brook and Connecticut River meet. The trail continues down a
hill and now runs beside the Connecticut River. The trail is narrower with
dense vegetation on either side of trail. The is relatively flat and narrow as
it winds its way along the river until it turns and heads steeply up toward the
Maple Street Trailhead. Your heart will be pounding as you make your ascent.
Private property: There
are private homes all around this trailhead, so please be respectful and stay
on the trail.
